Windfarms

Strathdearn Community Council decided at its meeting on 28 November 2006, attended by 8 Community Councillors and 28 members of the public, to ballot the community to ensure that as accurate a community response as possible on the above development was sent to the planning authorities.

The ballot count took place at a Public Meeting in the Strathdearn Hall on Wednesday 20 December at 7.30 pm. Present were 8 Community Councillors, the Minutes Secretary and 23 members of the public. Rev R F Campbell, the Parish Minister who lives outwith Strathdearn, acted as Returning Officer, assisted by Mr Alistair Cameron, an independent witness.

At the close of the ballot result, Strathdearn Community Council unanimously resolved (on the motion of Mr Hart, seconded by Mr Bonniface) to send a letter to both the Scottish Executive and Highland Council stating that:

Strathdearn Community Council now wishes to formally object to the development of a Wind Farm at Glenkirk for the following reasons contained in the ballot responses:

If, despite these strong objections, the Scottish Executive is minded to approve this development, Strathdearn Community Council wishes to continue to object to the use of the Balvraid Road as an access route to the Wind Farm as a condition of planning as stated in our letter to you dated 19 January 2006.

Mr E Usborne and Mr A Wallace have had an introductory meeting with Mr Sakamoto, of Eurus Energy re. the propossed windfarm at Glenkirk. Discussion had taken place re possible projects including the potential use of a turbine for the Strath, and also a new Village Hall. They were now awaiting response.

The Community Council has objected to the Dunmaglass windfarm on the grounds that the development would pose an economic threat to jobs and tourism; have a wider impact on protected species; and a detrimental impact on wild land.

Coignafearn estate has raised a legal challenge to the contentious decision by Highland Council not to object to the proposed 33 turbine windfarm.

Dumnaglass Wind Farm update
It was noted that planning by the Scottish Government had been given. No further feedback regarding Community Benefit had been received and William Gillfinnan had been approached prior to the meeting for any updates, no response had been received. It was noted with some disappointment that the RES webpage detailed that Community Benefit had been agreed. To date the Community Council had not been approached on matter re the planning approval by RES or Highland Council over road improvements/community liaison.

The view of the meeting was that there was concern that the Tom nan Clach windfarm may use the same access and grid connection as Glenkirk, resulting in a second lot of construction traffic for a further period and more disruption.

Infinergy is a Dutch company who have submitted a Planning Application to Highland Council seeking permission for the erection of 17 wind turbines each 110m high plus 2 temporary compounds and 2 temporary rock quarries at Tom nan Clach.

Proposed windfarm by Carbonfree see: www.moywindfarm.co.uk

Discussion over community benefit remains complex and challenging for all concerned. It was noted that John Macleod and Paul Davies had been co opted onto the Community Council to represent the Community Council in the work of the Liaison Group process.

Kyllachy/Farr Extension

RWE npower renawables has requested a scoping option for a 20-turbine development on Kyllachy and Farr Estates

Simon Green from West Coast Energy attended and presented on the proposal for 13 turbines to be located in Daviot: Craggie with the potential to produce 32.5 MW of energy. Community Benefit of £4,000 per mega watt is proposed with the option of sharing the revenue from one of the turbines.

Daviot wind Farm Public Exhibition - Tues. 29th March 3-8pm Strathdearn Hall, Tomatin, Wednesday 30th March 3-8pm Daviot Village Hall

Most recent news from Community Council

Glenkirk

Re-submit our objection to this application.

N Power/Robert Warren

Concerns regarding the visual impact and the noise levels. Mr Bryden has put in an extra eight locations to get visual reports on, and an extra 6 locations for noise levels, with all these submitted to the Scottish Government.

Scottish Renwables

BWEA

Tom nan Clach Windfarm

Moy Windfarm

Daviot Wind Farm